Spring winding mechanism



April 10, 1945` y F. s. sTlcKNEY SPRING WINDING MECHANISM Filed April 2l, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 'IIE- April 10,1945. Fys. STICKNEY 2,373,427

SPRING W'INDING MECHANISM -Filed April 2l, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 :ommuous eNnEnY 'A NDRMAL RUN 5i@ @'84 6-@ @37 5mn' :wop oFF CLOSED PITCH 5TOP MOTOR NORMAL. NORMAL RELEASE (N15 CHUCK VDPENH" /7 i SELECTOR MNH lmnmnl umummmnnmlmnmnnwlnmn 3 ttor ej April 10, 1945.` F s. sTlcKNEY SPRING WINDING MECHANISM Filed April V.21, 1943 8 sheets-sheets April 10,' 1945.

F. s. STIGKNEY sPRING wNDINcf MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 21, 1943 Cttome' April L10, 1945.

s. s'rlcKNEY SPRlNG WINDING` MECHANISM Filed April 21, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 1mm :um A

pl'll lo, l945- F. s. STICKNEY SPRING WINDING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheety G Filed April 2l, 1943 Imvcntor, 24

April 10, 1945. F. s. STICKNEY 2,373,427

SPRING WINDING MECHANISM V Filed April 2l, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 April 10, 1945.

F. s. STICKNEY SPRING WINDING MECHANISM Filed April 2l, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Summer @24a/a7 Gtfox leg' Patented pr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Fernald S. Stickney, West Caldwell, N. J.

Application April 21, 1943, Serial No. 483,955

39 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism for and a process for making helical springs. In order that my improved process and mechanism for lmaking helical springs may be .more readily understood and appreciated, it seems essential to set forth a few definitions; to wit, a helical spring is one made from wire in thegeneral shape of a helix having the general outline of a cylinder. Such springs can be classified as tension or compression springs, a tension spring being one in which the turns forming the helix are spaced closely together and usually provided with hooks at the ends of the spring for attachment or loading lpurposes.

A compression spring is one in which the turns are spaced a desirable distance apart so that it can be compressed by pressure applied at its ends. Usually compression springs are made with a few closely wound turns at each end thereof to make a more upright spring and thereby take its load in the best manner. In some cases the ends of a compression spring are ground flat to-accomplish this purpose. In the specification which follows, the closed turns are those wound at each end of a typical compression spring, while the open turns are the spaced turns between the closed end turns, thus becoming the real active part of the spring, therebeing little or no movement t the closed end turns under load.

The free length of a helical spring is its length when no load is applied in any way, whereas the solid length is the length of the spring when it is compressed or loaded so heavily that the open turns engage each other and the spring can be compressed` no further. The number of turns o f wire per inch of the free length defines the pitch, tension springs being usually wound with a uniform pitch throughout the entire length, whereas compression springs are usuallywound with two different pitches-a high pitch at the ends for the closed turns, and a, lower pitch for the open turns. The closed pitch in a helical spring is the number of turns per inch of the length in the closely wound portion of the spring; hence it is determined entirely bythe diameter of the wire used, Thus a compression spring has an active lengthv of the open Wound turns and an inactive length of all its closed turns. Therefore the total length of a helical spring isthe sum of its active and inactive lengths, and the turn-ratio for a compression spring is the number of open yturns divided by the total number of turns. y

It may be said in passing that inthe ordinary commercial machine used for producingsprings, the Wire is fed longitudinally Ythrough rollers which push the wire through a long straight hole against a hardened plate set at a compound angle to the axis of the hole. The wire strikes the said plate at an angle and comes off ina curl. Thus the diameters and pitcnof these curls depend upon the compound angles of the plate. While these angles are adjustable for setting up purposes and are varied during the operation of the machine by an "adjustable cam or cams, the springs are subject to variations in diameter and pitch, due to variations in temper or curvature of the wire; and when beryllium copper springs are formed on such a machine, it is necessary to heattreat the wire before coiling the spriig as heattreatment thereafter would produce severe distortion; but I have found that to get the best physical properties of beryllium copper springs they should be fully heat-treated after they have been'formedl If beryllium copper wire is given full heat treatment before being formed into springs, the material is rendered too brittleto be handled in the ordinary conventional machine. It has been customary to use over-heat-treated-Wire in the conventional machines, resulting in failure to develop the maximum physical properties of the material, especially beryllium copper.

It is therefore the principal object of myinvention to be described herein, to provide a composite mechanism and process which is especially adapted for the manufacture of beryllium copper springs which will be more vaccurate and of more uniform diameter and precise pitch and better quality than it is'now possible to make with the prior-art structures to which reference has been made.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism which willhave substantially automatic characteristics so that it can be set to produce compression springs ofany diameter, turn ratio, closed pitch, open pitch and total number of turns within, of course, a certain range of the particular machine. To accomplish the main ob- `.lect of my invention, Ihave chosen to utilize an engine lathe modified so as to obtain the desired results by feeding spring wirefrom areel onto a mandrel carried by the lathe spindle chuck by `way of a wire guide mounted on a carriage which is moved by the lathe lead screw/parallel with the mandrel. `:By various changes and additions Vto the lathe, such as a change in gears for any given type of spring, I may, as Will'be later pointed out, wind helical springs without it being necessary to vstop the machine to change gears to vmove from closed to open pitch, and vice-versa for each and every spring.

A furthervobject ofmy invention is to provide a gear case or mounting plate so arranged on or positioned with respect to the lathe, that a change in gearsfor both closed and open lpitch and number of turns can be very easily and quickly made.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electrical clutch structure which is automatically actuated for turning the lead screw at controlling the time of windingfclcsedan'd' open turns of the springs.

Another object is to provide an electrical con.-

trol panel in front of the machineg'poperator. whereby the various parts of the mechanism' may be easily put into operation-'with'certainindications visually before thepperatOr.: 1 y

A still further object isV to provide automatic means for stopping the mandrel and theuwind-m ingy operation when-a mandrel is fully, Wound.v

A. further.; adyalntage fi's @obtained in: that the beryllium. copper. springs, are heat-treated on, the;y mandrelfon-whichQthey. are wound,v and thereby;y maintain. close. tolerances af-ter heat treatment...

Besidesthese advantages the mechanism automatically.. determines. the; percentage of turns which shalliibe.closedLandwhatlpercentage shall be open'. In, other. words.,V the mechanism automatically ydetermines the. ratio` between closed' and`-open pitch turns. In addition, the mechanis'rn, counts" the total' number of." turns per' spring,- the diameter of which' is' 'determine'dby' the diameter of the Winding mandrel?4 Many' other objectsl and advantages will vbe readily perceived"fromfa' readingfo the fol--l lowing description taken' 'in connectionA with' theanneXed drawings'whereinr Figure 1'- -is a' viewrpartlyin:k plan and partlyE in'J perspective o the* gear` end" of the -winding lathe: l' p- Figure 2 is a perspective' viewoffthe lwindingr rnechanism'on` afmuchfreduced scale# Figure 3 is;- anenlarged':view-10iv the control panel" showing av-portion-ofrthe-lathe vof Figure -2.

Figure 12 is a view of the bridge cam forming the left-hand portion of the combination shown in Figure 11, looking from left to right.

Figure 13 is a view of the on cam which comprises the right-hand portion; of the;- assembly "shown" in Figure 11; looking; from right to left.

- Figure 14 is a side elevation ofthe off cam, the same.:being the third from the left in the cam assembly of Figure 9. Y

Figure-ldis-a-view of Figure 14 looking from right to. left.

Figure 16 is a View of the resetting cam, the samebeing the one to the right of the cam assembly of Figure 9.

Figure l''is a.. view, of j Figure 16`looking.fromV right to left;

Figure 418 shows a springaswoundon the,

. mandrel with. op'enpitch. f

y with 50% open pitch;

Figure Y 19 shows a. spring wound. onthe mandrel with .5% open. pitch, the individualiv springs being formed r by cutting :on the` diagonal;- broken.

Figure 23fis a wiringdiagrjam of, the electrical.l

circuitsv usedin the mechanism.'

In the various'views wherein' likelnumbersrefer to corresponding parts, I' illustrates.4 generallya lathe preferably,` of "the so-called` engine', type; having slide" rests 2 'andi 3"on which is' posi, tioneda slide or carriage licarryinganalfm 5 forv supporting the ou`ter-endfofjj9JI mandrelf" and guiding the wirev thereont'o:r The slide also change-gear' panel; shown in the lefthand= portion=of Figured'f. I l l Figure -i'sia view' similar toFi'gurml butfof1 theI inner side of- `thechange-gear panel. f-

Figure 6 is a schematic and isometric arrange-- mentaoi" the gears-.,shownl inFigures .4 and. .5, which gearsiaraiom opposite siclesrof'l a;.gears-case= plate, certain .changez gears een .the `lathe.--With the1mandre1;.'clutch, lead. screw1r and:..slide. shown. in..Figure..` 1.alsoibeingi shown.

, Figure; 'l` isiY aipartialeviewiof.;one.-.end. othe. back. portion on theflathe, showingz the ,slide for Supportingi'.Onef,endY-.ofltheimandreland the.

tension pulley.r for thefwire,gas.:Wellasxzertain.l control. 0r .limit switches, used 1 in the operation of. the machine.

Figure. 8 `is..aii" ragrnentary yiew. of: lthe front side @ofv the lathe showing, somewhat. diagrammatically, the. lead screw andmeans for. connectingy the slide to. `the lead. screw, Ias .Well asy` a control' Switch used. inthe. operation of the mechanism. Figure 9; which is lillustratechpaiftlr'y in. sectionl yandfpartlyjin elevation; isi aside View'. of the camshaft assembly usedf'or operating the switches included in the controluisedin' the circuits controlling the pitclrwinding of" the springsa Figure 10 is ap1'anview-foiftheJ cam switches and i cam assembly -lookingdown 5 irl-'theV direction, offthe arrowa of-Figure- 1". Figurer 11i islaf side elevation-of-E the assembly ot '.two z of 1" thej cams sslio'wnin ythe left-handVA portionziof'tthei-cam' assembly offFigure9:

carries a tensionwheell for regulating the. ten:- sion on the wire irom. a reel 9`car.riedV onor closely adjacentgthelathe. I, ontoth'e mandrel 6,' around 'which i-tjis wound, in the mannerjas. somewhat diagrammatically illustrated' in Figure 3 and tobe later described.' more inpdetail.

The carriage is.' returned g to ystart .positionA by a rope IIlIl"'aridl a' weight-Knot shown) afterbeingv released' by,V ajsplit nut" 15" to. whichv reference.

willbe'later made. l

i Supported' on theV lathe.' or. irnmedi.'ately` adjacent thereto, isgiaV controljpanel, or. cabinet.

I0"Within and on which are mountedvarious relays; switches, signals, etc'.,`used inthe'electrical circuits comprising'` part of the* mechanism; certaini ofthese switches being identifedonltlie cabinet IU; atthe.topportionv ofwhich is indif-V Vcatefda counterv c forcountingl .the springsasj theyL areA wound; Thel head' end of" -the lathejis the usual heads stock. I I carrying' speedchangej' pulleys lI2 which are-connectedby 'a belt I3"to. cooperating'pulleys- I4.

A- gear I 5 fconnecte'd-"tn reverse' gears, generally referred to-as Y I 6,= drivesthe lathe spindle; carrying;V an eleotro-magneticu chuck I 1 for engagingy and-@driving the'r mandrelf 61.' An power shaft I8; which suppliesvpower through` thereversegears I6; carries a gear `AI Sin-meshV withagear'zlij'which in turn is inmeshwith-a gear 2| carrier-ironV a shaftl supporting 'a-gearI 2 Z'Jinmeshfwitl'r a-gear 23. TheV gea-rs` 2 I g- 22" and 23 l comprisea gear-reduc,- tionfor -acamx assembly which will be later re1- fer-red to. Thegear 23l=isl-carriedon'a'-shafi;A 24 which carriesa g ear-25fin mesh=withI air idler gear `2I- 'which is--i'n'r'nesh witlra gear-2 1 that-op erates the* camshaft-assembly through aishait 282 (see Figure -9) The gears 25; '26 andA--Z'lfomz a combination which I term the camchange gears.

The gear 26 is supported on a shaft 29 carried by a suitable idler bearing support arm-30 having a slot 3| therein, within which the shaft 29 is slidably adjustable toward and away from the shaft 28. vThe bearing, arm 30 is carried on a bearing bushing 32 fastened to a frame member `33 in any suitable manner as by a set screw 34 (see Figure 9). The arm 38 is arcuately adjustable on the bearing bushing 32 and locked in Iposition by a set screw 35.

The gear 2| is carriedl on a shaft 36 having a pinion 31 on its outerend. The shaft 36 is supported in a bearing bushing similar t0 the bushing'32 which supports the shaft 28. The pinion 31 meshes with a gear 38 carried on a shaft 39 supported by a suitable idler bearing support arm 38 having a slot 3| therein, within which the shaft 39 is slidably adjustable toward and away from the shaft 36. The bearing arm 38 is carried on a bearing bushing similar to the bushing 32 fastened to the same frame member 33 in any suitable manner as by a set screw The gear 38 is in mesh with a gear 46 carried onv a shaft 4I on the inner end of which is a, gear 42 which is in mesh with an idler gear 43 meshing with a gear 44 on a shaft I l0 associated with or forming a part of the clutch structure used to make driving connection'with the engine lead screw 45. The shaft ||0 is carried in a bushing held in a, frame plate ||2 by a screw |3. The gears 31, 38 and 46'comprise a combination which I term open pitch change-gears.

The outer end of the shaft I8 carries a -pinion 46 which is in mesh with a gear 41 that is lixedly mounted with a' gear 48 on a shaft 49, on which shaft is carried a support arm 36 having aslot 3|" and a lock pin 35" for xing the arm 38" in its adjusted position, it being understood that this arm is carried on a bearing bushing similar to 32. The gear 46 is in mesh with a vgear 58 which is fastened to a stub shaft forming a part of the electro-magnetic clutch structure thatv drives the lead screw of the lathe. The gears 46,

l41, 48 and 50, which are al1 mounted on the front vrings which, for the purpose of clarity, are not shown in Figures 1 and 2. Between these electromagnetic windings is positioned an armature 54. The armature 54 is fastened to a shaft forming an extension of the engine lathe lead screw 45, so that when this armature 54 is attracted to the electro-magnetic structure 53, the leadscrew 45 is driven by the open pitch change gears 31, 36 and heretofore described.

When the armature 54 is attracted and held by the electromagnetic structure 52, the lead screw will be driven at a different speed by the closed pitch change gears 46, 41, 48 and 50.

, The cam change gears 25, 26 and 21 operate a cam structure which is shown in assembled relain which is located an electromagnetic winding 56,

`current being conveyed thereto through slip rings and ybrushes which for the purpose of clarity are not shown.

yMounted on a sleeve 51, which is preferably slidably mounted on Oilite bearings 66 and free from the shaft 28, arefour camsa bridge cam 58, an on cam 59, an off cam 68,' and a reset cam 6|. The cams 58 and 59 'are assembled as an integral structure as shown in Figure 11, which isfastened in any suitable manner as by a set screw to the sleeve 51. The cam 58 has an indicated camming surface 62 of approximately thirty-six degrees arcuate length, the purpose of which will be later described in connection with Figure 23.

The fon cam 59, `having an indicatedcamming surface 63 of approximately 180 degrees, is calibrated into sectors or zones A, B, C, D and E, each sector or zone being subdivided so that` there are one hundred divisions in the entire circumference of the cam for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The olf cam 60, which is adjustably mounted on the sleeve 51 and has an indicated camming surface 64 of approximately 180 degrees, has an index pin 65 for assistance in setting the cam to one of the sectors and divisions thereof on the cam 59. I

' The reset cam 6|, which is also preferably adjustably mounted on the sleeve 51, is in operative relationship with a stationary electro-magnetic structure having an energizing winding 61 enervgized by vcurrent coming through the leads 63 for a purpose to be later described.

- 'It is intended -that the clutch relay |66, to be other throughout an angle of 360 degrees, it is f necessary to divide this angle into ve different zones and to use ve dilferent circuits, one at a time, for each zone as will be later described.

A hand knob 69 is attached to the cam structure so that the cam assembly can be turned by this knob, it being understood that the knob is i carried on a shaft |06 which terminates atthe point t, whereas the shaft 28 terminates at the point t'. The shaft |06 has a pin |61 that is positioned, after assembly, in'a recess in the end of the sleeve 51 so this sleeve, with the cams mounted thereon, may be turned by the knob 69 for adjustment purposes, at whichtime both the windings 56 and 61 are deenergized.

A lock spring 10 kisfprovided for the'purpose of preventing rotation of the cam assembly in the wrong directiongwhen adjusting the cam structure as is sometimes necessary, which would permit damage to certain switch-operating levers that are operated by the cams vand which will be later referred to.

The cams 58 59, 60 and 6| are shown in Figure l0 in operative position with their cooperating micro-switches 1|, 12, 13'and 14, a side `view of one of these switch structures being indicated in Figure 5, and the switches being shown diagrammatically in`Figure 23.

Positioned on the lead screw 45, is a split n ut 15 which is adapted to be operated by a lever 16 wherebythe nut may be engaged or-disengaged from the lead screw 45. The split nut 15 is oper- "atively'connected to the slide or carriage 4 so that 4, @meer Witch thisA energie@ the rela Bj? ci, A

oi cam, from 18 degrees to approximately 162 degrees, no bridging switch being required because the resetting Zones do not coincide or give trouble.

Zone C When it is desired to wind springs from 45% to 55% open pitch, the off cam 80 is set to one of the divisions in sector C (see Figure 13) -and the selector switch 93 is set to the position C. Under this condition, the clutch relay is controlled by the bridge, on and oir cams B, 59 and 60 and their cooperating micro-switches 1 I, 12 and 13. These switches and cams are positioned between the broken lines |02 and |03, it

being understood, the same as before, that none i Zone D When it is desired to wind springs from 55% tor 95% open pitch, the off cam 80 is set to one of the divisions in sector D (see Figure 13) and the selector switch 93 is set to the position D. Under this condition, the clutch relay |00 is controlled only by the on and oi cams 59 and 60 and their cooperating micro-switches 12 and 13 which are positioned, as diagrammatically illustrated, between the broken lines |03 and |04, it being understood that none of the other arrangements apply. Under this condition of operation, the operating point of the fo cam precedes the operating point of the off cam from 198 degrees to 342 degrees, no bridging switch being required because the resetting zones do not coincide or give trouble.

Zone E When it is desired to wind springs having an -open pitch from 95% to 100%, the off cam`60 is set to one of the divisions in sector E (see Figure 13) and the selector switch 93 is set to the position E. Under this condition, the clutch relay |00 is controlled by the bridga on and off cams 58, 59 and 60 and their cooperating micro-switches 1.|, 12 and 13, as illustrated below the broken line |04, it being understood that none of the other arrangements apply. In other words, all of the five settings illustrated on the right-hand side of Figure 23 operate individually according to the setting of the vselector switch and the o cam. Under this condition of operation, the operating point of the on cam pref cedes the operating point 'of the ci cam from 342 degrees to 360 degrees, the bridge cam operating to hold the circuit closed in the reset zone.

Figures 18 to 22 inclusive illustrate one condition of the springs wound in the various Zones as above described. The individual springs are made by cutting on the broken-lines |05. It may be mentioned at this point that one revolution of the cam structure shown in Figure 9 makes a complete spring,

When the mandrel has been completely wound with a plurality of springs, the mechanism must be stopped to put in another mandrel if,` as has been explained, the springs are to be `tempered while on the mandrel on which they arewound. The mechanism is stopped by the action of the three limit switches a, 8Ia and 82a, shown in Figure '1. The first limit switch to operate is the clutch limit switch 80a which is operated by the bar 80 as the slide or carriage 4 approaches the end of its outward movement. When the limit switch 80a is opened, this deenergizes the clutch relay |00 and energizes the closed pitch winding 52, thereby causing the machine to wind on .a

closed pitch, which is desired for binding the y wire to the end of the mandrel.

The second limit switch to operate is the chuck limit switch Bla whichis operated by the bar 8| on the carriage. This deenergizes the chuck relay -96 and theA chuck yI1, thereby stopping the rotation of the mandrel instantly, although other parts oi" the machinemay continue to rotate under their own inertia.

The carriage limit switch 82a is the last to be operated by its bar 82. Opening of this limit switch deenergizes the cam release relay 91 and throws control of the reset relay 98 to the reset cam 6| and its associated switch 14, whereby` the reset relay 98 will be deenergized on the next opening ofthe reset switch 14 by its cam S l. The opening of the switch 82a deenergizes the relay 99 and cuts'off the supply of direct current from both the clutches 52 and 53, thus instantly stopping rotation of the lead screw; it also deenergizes the motor control relays and 89, there- .by disconnecting the'motor from the source of current supply, and the mechanism will now coast to a stop.

While the above describes the preferred operation of the limit switches, the carriage limit switch and it eventually reaches the drop-01T position,

thereby moving the reset switch 1K4 to'open position as shown in Figure 23. This delayed action deenergizes the yreset relay 98 that in turn deenergizes the cam vwinding 56, and directly thereafter energizes the cam lock winding 6l. This stops and locksl the cam assembly in the proper position for starting the next mandrel of springs.

The'position'of the reset cam 6| can be 'adjusted and locked with respect to the other cams so that each time the machine is started it rst winds open pitch for a few turns before winding closed pitch, .thereby minimizing waste of wire and producing a maximum number of perfect springs per mandrel.,` If the operation selector switch 83 is thrown to the continuous position, the machine is operated in the same manner as heretofore desoribed, but the lathe spindle never stops during a change of mandrels.

1f springs having closed pitch only are desired, the clutch switch 86 is moved to the closed pitch or open position, thus deenergizing the clutch relay |00 'and the open pitch clutch'53.

The machine maybe stoppedat any time by openingthe stop switch 81 which cuts' off current from the motor )control relays 89 and 90, but does not have any eiect on theother circuits of the machine. The change-over switch 92 is used mainly for adjusting purposes when it' may be kdesired `to operate the machine without engaging the. split nut 15 and runningthe slide or carriage "ferent speedsA thmush siiitele e n carriage. switch 1,1.-, ..'Ii1e,eam releaseiswitch 9,4 is

necessary for-,use durinasettinsnncperatiens te dejenergize,.theooannelectrcfmagnete 56. and. Gl so., as. to permit.. turr'irig.' l theoeam. assemblx cby meansloitnedindknob 69 to which reference hasa.1r eadxt beenmade, o It jmayberurtherncted thatine chuck switch energizing the magnetic oli'1`ii'cl5. l,1.without throwing otheriarts of the machine-out of operation. ;o

whilellhave described' a. yeryyniactical Working meclianism.especially adapted .fonuseinltl'ie manufacture ofberylliu'i copper p11I1gS, QU-t not necessary limited thereto, itwill beiapparet that mnyjch'arges may bel made-in Marions. ldetails ot the. .constructinwithoutdeparting.. from' the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended clainis.

WliatI claimis.; .M 1. A mechansmjor making- .nlultalrpitcmhelical springs comprising, ,thebasic parts. 0fan eilgine lathe-[Sunni as abe'd .plate .'.carryirig slide means, lead screw, spindle a-nd Speed-change pulie'y's for the spindle; achiick carrie,d.'loy.the spin dl'e,` av mandrel adzlptecl` tdbe carried ,bii. .th,e chuck for rotation. therwitnaieariaget mQiLalcle nectlngthe' carriage tn ,theplea screw a Wre giide carried by othe. .carriag e,for, g1 iiding .snring wire onto tHe mandrelr means for, automatically changing, -atany desired revolution, the speed of rotation of the lead screw and hence thejspeednf.

tro-magnetic j lutcl'rstructurerhaving. WI!!T ,eiiligizabl :portion's betwen, yvhicn *am singlefpiece arniature; operatively conne.cte d to ,the lead screw is' psitinedfoiciattractionto either, portion, :said

two' prtionsmeingnperatedat diiierenttspe'eds cal springs asset forthinclairn; deliin'd in .tlat an. electramagnetic cliitch, strnctpre is promocion L cont rolling theL -reletve sbr-lede.. f

.rotation @f thelathe lead screw anidlm drelrsaid strooi-,ure having two energizehlenertieneeiifen `Whichan armature operativelyjcgnneted tothe lead screw: is ,positinrl'ed forattractionx to either portion, said inc mrtens @eine witnithe lathe, saiQLGli-lil??? :brtions ezed brie relexgdireetlv undersea@ i ative lcam and switch. eiriiet re y atlstftcam Springs, asset frih itt-Slew.

is controlled fby, anielerQ-mi it moohavinevtwo revele whcnnnarmatlnre gerativelm lead screw is positioned for `ttractin "to either energized by a relay directly under control of col operative cam and switch" structures, at least the cam structure havingparts adjustable for obtainine desired 'Winding o f Serine, andre master selector switchfori Controlling the action of said eem .andiewitehtrlleturee- A mechanism .for making plural- Pitehllelical springs as set forthin cla-im l l, further denefd niet the speed Qifroteiien ef the; lathe. ieee wie.. controlled .by elettro-magnetic lilith .structure hei/ing. tive V eI lereizable sertie tyreecwliieh. ,en emeture Qeereiivelyseonh feld to z the llead screwis positioned 44for attracti ..iier 1, $eid were onsteizis atfdieigent speeds through suitable' gearing" asso'- ei-e-tf@ ,with the lathe, saidelutehportiens being energized by sgmrelay directly 'nn'der control" of e99rerei/e.eemend w'iehsirilciifes. ai lst therein Strutture henne parte, edis'tebl for fiminine@ desired Av 1 r 1 di11e ef Stime seid rly ,contaitsfkoeing activatedioya release relay controiloiiioy a inni;-i switonoperatd by Athe lathe carriageattl'ie enduof` its winding travel@ u 6. A mechanism for making pl'irallpitch hlical springs' as set forth in claim l, further defined in .thatseid means foreperatively.ccnneeting the o oriogo to' tno leai screw ofori'nfp ses" splitnut a lsed ginnici-inpatien- Iedntfurther cleaned the electro-rnagnetichiil;r for engaging and diseneeeine a n 1 and1e1 .0n which Springs efe Weind- 8 'A' mechanismr making pl'r-al-pitchiieligals 'ingsas set forth in clainril',l fiirthr C'elied that the sneeze, of, @new er. the 'lathe leed 'Sre.v.ie e i1l1ir0lledbien eleeiromeeietie elieh tire having ive 'ereizabie portiens'betvfn armatureoperativlyonneoted tothe lead screw is positioned for attraction yto either 'pf'ortion,said two l'aortio'nsV being operated' at dif- A ferentgspeedsftlnoiigli suitable 'gearing associ- A: itfcl'iivitlfi 'the lathe`, said clutchy-jortons being energized by a relay directly Linder control "of 'c operative and switch striitures,` at least thecainfstrictiire having parts adjustable for o taining '2, desired winding 'of spring, the mechjms'iilf'oeing runner defined in that said com 'structure incln'des electro-magnetic means for "controlling the Afimction'ing of the cams.

9. mechanism 'formaking pluralLpitch heli- Vcal springs asset forthin claim 1`, fiirtliergdened in `thz'rtftlfie sp'eed *ofV rotation of the lathe 'lead lsycjrewis ,controlled by an yeleotro#magnetic clutch structure having two energizable. portions vloelt'wez'ejri which an armatureoperatively connected 'to the lead screw is positioned 'for attraction to either portion, said two portionsbeingperated cooperative cam and switch structures, at least the cam structure having parts adjustable for obtaining a desired winding of spring, the mechanism being further dened in that said cam structure includes electro-magnetic means for controlling the functioning of the cams, and relay means for governing the action of the cam electro-magnets.

10. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1, `further defined in that the speed of rotation of the lathe lead screw is controlled by an electro-magnetic clutch structure having two energizable portions between which an armature operatively connected to the lead screw is positioned for 'at traction to either portion, said two portions being operated at. diierent speeds through suitable gearing associated with the lathe, said clutch portions being energized by a relay -directly under control of cooperative cam and switch structures, at *least the cam structure having parts adjustable for obtaining a desired winding of spring, the mechanism being further defined in that said cam structure includes electro-magnetic means for controlling the functioning of the cams, and relay means for governing the action of the cam electroemagnets, said relay means comprising a cam release .relay which is actuated on closure' of a switch supported by the carriage asset forth herein, and a reset relay as defined herein operated by said cam release relay,

11. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1,'further, defined in that said means `for operatively conto adjust parts o'f the mechanism without running the carriage.

14. A mechanism 'for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1,v further l defined in that the speed of rotation of the lathe lead screw is controlled by an electro-magnetic v clutch structure having two energizable portions necting the carriage to the lead screw comprises i a split nut adapted to be closed onto the lead screw or released therefrom for the purpose described, and still further defined in'that the lathe spindle carries an electro-magnetic chuck and the carriage supports a switch which is operated on actuation of the split nut for energizing and deenergizing vthe electro-magnetic Vchuck for engaging and disengaging a, mandrel on which springs are wound, said carriage switch acting under one condition of operation of the lathe to 'actuate means for starting a motor used for driving the lathe, with further manual means for controlling the motor circuit.

.12. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in lclaim 1, further defined ih that said chuck is of the electro-magnetic type controlled primarily by a chuck relay and a limit switch, said limit switch being opened by the carriage when the mandrel iswound with springs to a desired point, to deenergize the chuck and release the mandrel.

13. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1, further defined in that said means for operatively connecting the carriage to the lead screw comprises a split nut adapted to be closed onto the lead screw or released therefrom for the purpose described, and still further dened in that the lathe spindle carries an electro-magnet chuck and the carriage supportsa switch which is operated on actuation of the'split nut forenergizing 'and den energizing they electro-magnetic chuck for engaging and disengaging a mandrel cn which 'springs are wound, said carriage switch acting under one condition of operation of the lathe `to actuate fmeans for starting a: motor used for `driving the lathe, with further manual means for controlling the motor circuit, and means .for shunting the carriage switch when it is desired between which an armature operatively connected to the lead screw is positioned for attraction to either portion, said two portions being operated at different speeds through suitable gearing associated with the lathe, said clutch portions being' energized by a relay directly under control of cooperative cam and switch structures, at least the cam structure having parts adjustable'for obtaining a. desired winding of spring, the mechanism being further deiinedin that said cam structure includes electro-magnetic means for vcontrolling the functioning of the cam, release means for deenergizing said electromagnets, anda hand-operated means for turning the cam assembly'for adjustment purposes. 15. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical 'springs as set forth in claim 1, further deiined in that the speed of rotation of the lathe lead screw is controlled by an-electromagnetic clutch structure having two energizable portions between which an armature operatively connected to the lead screw is-positi'oned for attrae tion to either portion, said two portions being operated at different speeds through suitable gearing associated with the lathe, said clutch portions being energized by a relay directly under control of cooperative cam vand switch structures, at least the cam structure having parts adjustable-'for obtaining a desired winding of spring, the mechanism being further defined in that said cam structure includes electro-magnetic means for controlling the functioning of the cams, release means' for deenergizing said electro magnets, and a hand-operated means for turning the cam assembly for adjustment purposes, and a lock spring positioned for cooperation with said hand-operated means for preventing rotation of the cam assembly in the wrong direction.

16. A' mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth inl claim 1, further defined in that said chuck is of the electromagnetic type controlled primarily by a chuck relay and secondarily by a manually operable l switch for deenergizing the chuck without disturbing other parts ofthe mechanism during setting-up operations. i

17. A lmechanism for making 'plural-pitch helical springs comprising, the basic parts of an engine lathe such as a bed plate carrying slide means, lead screw, spindle and speedchange pulleys for the spindle; a chuck ycarried by the spindle, a mandreladapted to be carried by the chuck, a carriage movable on the slide means, means for operatively connecting the carriage tothe lead screw, a wire guide carried by the carriage for guiding spring wire onto the mandrel, a two-.part electro-magnetic rotary clutch having an armature operatively con nected to said lead screw, the two parts of the clutch adapted to turn at different speeds and a gear box at the end ofthe lathe carrying gears, certain of which -may be readily changed and adjusted to drivey said clutch.parts at desired speeds; with means for automatically causing said armature to engage said chuck parts to producethe desired windingv of springs.

18` A mechanism for-making plural-pitch heli of the cams with its switch acting to energize said clutch relay while another of said cams with its switch deenergizes said clutch relay, while another of said cams acts as a guardian over the rst two cams mentioned, another adjustable cam with its switch acting to controlsaid reset relay to cause it, at the end of the winding operation on the mandrel, to deenergize the first-mentioned cam winding and to energize the second-mentioned or cam lock winding to thereby stop and lock the cam assembly in proper position for starting the next winding operation.

26. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1, further defined in that the speed of rotation of the lathe lead screw is controlled by an electro-magnetic clutch structure having two energizable portions between which an armature operatively connected to the lead screw is positioned for attraction to either portion, said two portions being operated at different speeds through suitable gearing associated with the lathe, said clutch portions being energized by a relay directly under control of cooperative cam and switch structures, the cam structure including an on cam with its switch for energizing said relay and an off cam with its switch for deenergizing said clutch relay, said two cams being adjustable with respect to each other so as to get a plurality of zones throughout a full circumference, said zone adjustments controlling the pitch winding of the springs on the mandrel, a bridge or safeguarding cam with its switch for holding the clutch relay circuit in status quo while the back sides of the on and off cams operate their respective switches, a still further cam known as a reset cam and windings included in the cam structure, and a reset relay controlled at the end of the winding operation by said reset cam for causing said windings to govern the movement of said cams.

27. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs as set forth in claim 1, further dened in that the speed of rotation of the lathe lead screw is controlled by an electro-magnetic clutch structure having two energizable portions between which an armature operatively connected to the lead screw is positioned for attraction to either portion, said two portions being operated at different speeds through suitable gearing associated with the lathe, said clutch portions being energized by a relay directly under control oi cooperative cam and switch structures, the cam structures including two energizing windings, one mounted for rotating the cams and one stationary, a reset relay for energizing and deener-l gizing' these windings, a plurality of rotary cams with their respective stationary switches associated with said first-mentioned winding7 one of the cams with its switch acting to energize said clutch relay while another of said cams with its switch deenergizes said clutch relay, while another of said `cams acts as a guardian over the rst two cams mentioned, another adjustable cam with its switch acting to control said reset relay to cause at the end of the winding operation on the mandrel, to deenergize the firstmentioned cam winding and to energize the second-mentioned or cam lock winding to thereby stop and lock the cam assembly in proper position for starting the next winding operation, and a cam release switch for deenergizing both of said cam windings, manual means for turning the cam structure when said cam release switch is open, and means for preventing the cam structure from being turned in the wrong direction.

28. A mechanismfor making plural-pitch helical springs in'successive units comprising, the basicparts of an engine lathe such as a bed plate carrying slide means, lead screw, spindle and speed-change pulleys for the spindle; a chuck ycarried by the spindle, a mandrel adapted to be' carried by the chuck, a carriage movable on the slide means, means for operatively connecting.

the carriage to the lead screw, means for feeding spring wire to 'the mandrel to wind successive spring units, means for automatically establishing different speeds of rotation of the leadscrew ent speeds includes primarily, a preset switch control cam structure and, secondarily, a magnetic clutch structure having an armature connected to the lead screw and electro-magnets operated at diierent speeds by diierent sets of gears driven Iby the `lathefor attracting and holding said armature for a predetermined time, and further means for exciting said electro-magnets according to the pitch of the turns desired in said spring units.

. 30. 'A mechanism for making plural-pitch helicalv springs in successive units as set forth in claim 28, further defined in that the means for operating the lead screw automatically at diierent speeds includes a, magnetic clutch structure having an armature connected to the lead screw and electro-magnets operated at diierent speeds by different sets of gears driven by the lathe for attracting and holding said armature for a predetermined time, said gears being carried by a gear case with .certain of said gears being adjustably mounted for easy changeability to suit the speed requirements of the lead screw, and further means for exciting said electro-magnets according to the pitch of the turns desired in said spring units. f

31. A mechanism for making plural-pitch helical springs in successive units as set forth in claim 28, further defined in that .the means for operating the lead screw automatically at diierent speeds includes a magnetic clutch structure having an armature connected to the lead screw and electro-magnets operated at different speeds by different sets of gears driven by the lathe for attracting and holding said armature for a predetermined time, this time being governed by a plurality of cams with associated switches, and

having an armature connected to the lead screw and electro-magnets operated at diierentspeeds by different sets of gears driven by the lathe for attracting and holding said armature for a pre` determined time, this time being governed by a plurality of cams with associatedA switches, and relay means for passing energizing current" to said zelectro-:inagneisraccnrding :tomitchmf turns required 2in reach spring iunit, ias defined :by :said cams, rmeans iaperated floy said slide means `fior limitingwthexactionrof =said .winding aclutchzstructure, :the :cams :and sassnciated vstructures :and relays when :the mandrel has been substantially iully Wound, :one tofzsaid acams awith an associated electro-magnet `:acting :at rthe end noi said vmandrel winding .operation to lock @the againstlfurtherfrotationuntil A'the start fof windinglofsanotherzmandrel l 33. A .mechanism for: makingzpluralepitchlhelical :springs :in :.isuccess'ive iunitsrias zset :forth in claim 28, sfurther `defined tin .that ithe :means for operating the leadiscrew cautomaticallyat `.didier-- ent fspeeds .includes a :magnetic :clutch :structure having1an armature .connected .to the lead :screw and electro-.magnetsioperated attdierentzspeeds by fdifferent; sets fof'. gears driven :bythe vlathe v'for attracting and holding said farmature for .a l.predetermined itime, .this btimelieing.egtoverned :byia cam fstructure :consisting tof f our cams 'carried on sa 4z-slidalole sleeve *with arcani-Winding =.electro magnet rotatably :mounted von :a :shaft :operated by thelathe,thisielectrosmagnetaloeing :positioned closely` adjacentfonel endi of :the said sleeve'wherebyziti Willmttracttthe sleeve for vrotation with :itselfsmeans lforrexciting this .cam f electroe'magnet when rthe 'spring winding A.npcratiun yistto Je started, :means :'for fdeenergizing said :electromagnet Wh'enfsaid znramzlreltis wound `Withrspring units, a cam-lock electro-magnet at thefendofltire sieeve oppnsite '..to :the rotating electro-magnet, andme'ans."forfenergizing.this:- ele'ctro=magnet :directly Eafter .the f cam-*winding :magnet is :deenerg'ized, said foams with :associated switches :and relays vfainting Ifto .'control the 'fwinding Aof Athe springs.

$4. Mechanismffor: automatically Winding-Wire* springs fni 'plural .fpitch :comprising 2.a imachine having :a i. 'driven shait fcarrying ran ielectro-magnet'rc rchuck 'for receiving fa :mandrel un 'which the wirezis Woundwvithmeansfor energizing and deenergizing `the :chuck minding, the machine having .allea'd'iscrewfacarriagemovably mounted on the `.machine 1 and iprovided 1With'guide1'means for .ffguiding fthe wire 'Junto :the zmandrel, uneans for operatively connecting and fdisconnectingithe carriage ifrom :the :lead-Secrew, and means fior automaticallyiiriving:theileadscrew at .diierent speeds :of f rotation with rresnect :to the .speed rif theimandrelto 'vary the pitch: oithe turns 'of fthe spring, andfmeans, factuated -by rsaid means for operatively connecting vfand :disconnecting A`the carriage `from the lead i-screw, for 'starting into f cperationfall of said rautomatic means. Y :35. :A t mechanism for `fvvinding iwire springs :of plural `pitch -VVas setirforthzin I"claim :34, further ede fined .in' that .'saidr means for 'automaticallyuvarying rfsneed of :rotation :of the lead -screw 'includes electroemagnetszdrivenzatfdiiierentzspeeds by vsuitable 'means'. comprisingfpartzof the unschanism, a member fastened to the lead screwaand positioned `so as to ibe :attracted and held *for predetermined periods oi. di'erent .lengthbysaid electro-emagnets thereby Avnnding-t springs :having a' desired plurahpitch.

.36. A mechanism for Winding wire springsioi plural rpitch f as setiorth.- in* claim .34, .further defined in lthatesaid means for vautomatically f varying .the :speed .of :rotation of the lead :screw includes electro-.magnets drivenl at -idiierent 4speeds byesuitable meansr'comprising parti :of :the .mechanisrn, 'La :member fastened to .the lead screw and positioned so :as .tofbe'aattracted1-and;held.or predeterminedlperiods-nf differentalengthibyfsaid electroemagnets thereloy winding @springs vhaving a desired mlural gpitch, :and` a 'cam rstructure iwith associated :switches :and relays afor governing the action of @said f electro -magnets :WN-Mechanism forautomatically Winding doer-yllium=copperzwireesprings .of substantially uniform fdiameterf and :any twozdesired ,pitchesf coinprising va fmachine having :a :shaft carrying sa chuck to receive :a .mandrel on 'zwhich :the .wire isvwoundga. leadfscrew; for: the machine.' arcarriage movable non the machine -and engageable `.with the ilead .screw -.and adapted to .feed the '.wire onto :the fmandrel, :means aactuated when .the carriage .is'-.engaged :with .the @leadscrew for :starting the automatic winding .operations I.and a amagnetizable -memberifastened to the lead-scremea pair fof `electro-magnets :rotated by lthe 'machine atsiiierentssneeds, vone .with respect to ztheaothcr, and :each l'located -so :as to attract and hold :said member :for 2a predetermined time, and .means for :automatically :selecting vthe length vof 'time and thence the -vpitches of 'thefspring '.turns.

'Mechanism for .automatically IWinding tberylliumlcoppervvire springs of substantially uniform `vdiameter `and :any two desired 'pitches :comprising .a machine 4having a shaft carrying fa chuck to receive a :mandrel ron Vwhich :thenvire is Wound, `fa -lead serieu/for the rmachine, aa acarriage {movable'on :the machine `and f-engageable with ithe -Llead `screw fand adapted to. feedithe wire onto `the unandrel, .a magnetizable rmember :fastened .tothe lead screW,-a painof electro-.magnets rotated tloy the machine atfdierent speeds, ione with respect vto f the other,` and'each .locatedmofas tofattract andlhold -said member for fa :predetermined -time, a foam :structure electrically l:controlled ircrhthe carriagezfor starting'itintooperation, `the i cam structure .ihaving cams '.ior .determining fthe gpre determined "timey or the Vpitches l of the :spring vinding 39. The process of making completely :iinished beryllium copper .springs using an engine 'lathe having .the usual bed Yplatezcarrying slidefmeans and a .carriage 5for movement on 1 the `slide' means, a [lead screw, espindle, speed change :means :for theleadscrevv, carriagefandzspindle, and a :chuck carriedbythespindle, which includesthegfollowingisteps; placingafmandrel inthezchuck :forrotation ftherewith, "connecting .a `Wire i guide Ato the carriage, mounting a :reel cf Iloerylliui'n :copper wire .in cooperative vrelation .to saidzguide, -passing `one end of ethe -Wire throughthe guide tan'd fastening it to the mandrel, operatively attaching `the .carriage to the .leadscrew and .starting rotation-.of:therspindlefchuck and mandrel, Apresetting, @prior `to :attaching .the :carriage :to the leadrscrew, meansv for automatically changingzat any desired f revolution fthe :speed '.of rotation vof the lead screwtand -carriage withirespectztothe speed of rotation :of the :spindle and fmandrelxtg vary thepitchl of turn. of 1 thezspring being Wound ontthe imandrel, binding thenirshed .end foi r,the windingztoethexmandrel, then'takingthennanilrel with .the .springs wound thereon Ain .a i continuous length and .heat-treating Athe springs fon :the mandrel,.and .thenfwithdrawing lthe'esprings. from the mandrel fand ccutting them -into .individual springs.

EERNALDfSi-STICKNEY. 

